Papers Relating to an Act of the Assembly of the Province of New-York / For encouragement of the Indian trade, &c. and for prohibiting the selling of Indian goods to the French, viz. of Canada

Sealed and delivered in the Presence of all the Proprietors who have hereunto subscribed, except Thomas Farrinborrough and John Goodson, in the Presence of

An ACT of Settlement, made at Chester, 1682.

WHEREAS William Penn, Proprietary and Governor of the Province of Pensylvania, and Territories thereunto belonging, hath, out of his great Kindness and Goodness to the Inhabitants thereof, been favourably pleased to give and grant unto them a Charter of Liberties and Privileges, dated the twenty-fifth Day of the second Month, One Thousand Six Hundred and Eighty-two: By which Charter it is said, the Government shall consist of the Governor and Freemen of the said Province, in the Form of a provincial Council and general Assembly; and that the provincial Council shall consist of seventy-two Members, to be chosen by the Freemen; and that the general Assembly may, the first Year, consist of the whole Body of the Freeholders, and ever after of an elected Number, not exceeding two hundred Persons, without the Consent of the provincial Council and general Assembly: And such Assembly to sit yearly on the twentieth Day of the third Month, as in the first, second, third, sixth, fourteenth and sixteenth Articles of the Charter, Reference being thereunto had, doth more at large appear.

AND FORASMUCH as this Charter was the first of those probationary Laws, that were agreed to and made by and between the Proprietary, and Governor, and Freemen in England, that were Purchasers in this Province, which said Laws, in the whole and in every Part thereof, were to be submitted to the Explanation and Confirmation of the first provincial Council and general Assembly that was to be held in this Province, as by the Title and first Law of the said Agreement, doth plainly appear.

AND WHEREAS, the Proprietary and Governor hath, according to that Charter, issued out Writs to the respective Sheriffs of the six Counties of this Province, to summon the Freemen thereof, to chuse in each County twelve Persons of most Note for their Sobriety, Wisdom, and Integrity, to serve in provincial Council; and also to inform the Freemen that they might come, for this Time, in their own Persons, to make up a general Assembly, according to Charter. And that the said respective Sheriffs by their Returns, and the Freemen by their Petitions to the Proprietary and Governor, have plainly declared, that the Fewness of the People, their Inability in Estate, and Unskilfulness in Matters of Government, will not permit them to serve in so large a Council and Assembly, as by the Charter is expressed; and therefore do desire, that the Members now chosen to be their Deputies and Representatives, may serve both for provincial Council and general Assembly; that is to say, three out of each County for the provincial Council, and the remaining nine for the general Assembly, according to Act, as fully and amply as if the said provincial Council and general Assembly had consisted of the said Numbers of Members mentioned in the Charter of Liberties, upon Consideration of the Premises; and that the Proprietary and Governor may testify his great Willingness to comply with that which may be most easy and pleasing, he is willing that it be enacted.

AND BE IT ENACTED by the Proprietary and Governor, by and with the unanimous Advice and Consent of the Freemen of this Province, and Territories thereunto belonging, in provincial Council and general Assembly met, That the Numbers desired by the Inhabitants in their several Petitions, and express'd to be their Desires by the Sheriffs Returns to the Proprietary and Governor, to serve as the provincial Council and general Assembly, be allowed and taken, to all Intents and Purposes, to be the provincial Council and general Assembly of this Province: And that the Quorum shall be proportionably settled, according to the Method express'd in the fifth Article; that is to say, two thirds to make a Quorum in extraordinary Cases, and one third in ordinary Cases, as is provided in the said fifth Article: Which said provincial Council and general Assembly, so already chosen, are and shall be held and reputed the legal provincial Council and general Assembly of the Province and Territories thereof, for this present Year; and that from and after the Expiration of this present Year, the provincial Council shall consist of three Persons out of each County, as aforesaid; and the Assembly shall consist of six Persons out of each County, which said provincial Council and general Assembly may be hereafter enlarged, as the Governor, and provincial Council and Assembly shall see Cause, so as the said Number do not, at any time, exceed the Limitations express'd in the third and sixteenth Article of the Charter, any Thing in this Act, or any other Act, Charter or Law, to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.

AND because the Freemen of this Province and Territories thereof, are deeply sensible of the kind and good Intentions of the Proprietary and Governor in this Charter, and of the singular Benefit that redounds to them thereby, and are desirous that it may in all Things best answer the Design of the publick Good, the Freemen of the said provincial Council and general Assembly met, having unanimously requested some Variations, Explanations and Additions, in and to the said Charter, he the Proprietary and Governor, hath therefore yielded that it be enacted:

AND it is hereby ENACTED, That the Time for the Meeting of the Freemen of this Province and Territories thereof, to chuse their Deputies to represent and serve them, in provincial Council and general Assembly, shall be yearly hereafter, on the tenth Day of the first Month, which Members so chosen for the provincial Council, shall make their Appearance, and give their Attendance, in provincial Council, within twenty Days after their Election; and the said Members elected to serve in general Assembly, shall yearly meet and assemble, on the tenth Day of the said third Month, to the End and Purposes declared in the Charter, at and in such Place as is limited in the said Charter, unless the Governor and provincial Council shall, at any time, see Cause to the contrary.

AND WHEREAS it is express'd in the said Charter, That the Governor and provincial Council shall prepare and propose to the general Assembly, all Bills which they shall think fit to pass into Laws, within the said Province: BE IT ENACTED by the Authority aforesaid, That the Governor and provincial Council, shall have the Power of preparing and proposing to the general Assembly, all Bills that they shall jointly assent to and think fit to have pass'd into Laws, in the said Province and Territories thereof, that are not inconsistent with, but according to the Powers granted by the King's Letters Patents to the Proprietary and Governor aforesaid; which Bills shall be published in the most noted Towns and Places in the said Province and Territories thereof, twenty Days before the Meeting of the general Assembly aforesaid.

AND for the better Decision and Determination of all Matters and Questions upon Elections of Representatives, and Debates in provincial Council and general Assembly, It is hereby declared and ENACTED, &c. That all Questions upon Elections of Representatives, and Debates in provincial Council and general Assembly, in personal Matters, shall be decided by the Ballot; and all Questions about preparing and enacting Laws, shall be determined by the Vote.

AND that so united an Interest may have an united Term and Stile to be express'd by, It is hereby declared and ENACTED, That the general Assembly shall be henceforth termed or called the Assembly; and the Meeting of the Governor, provincial Council, and Assembly, and their Acts and Proceedings, shall be stiled and called the Meetings, Sessions, Acts or Proceedings of the General Assembly of the Province of Pensilvania, and the Territories thereunto belonging. And that the Freemen of this Province, and the Territories thereof, may not on their Part, seem unmindful or ungrateful to their Proprietary and Governor, for the Testimony he hath been pleased to give, of his great Good-Will towards them and theirs, nor be wanting of that Duty they owe to him and themselves, they have prayed Leave hereby to declare their most hearty Acceptance of the said Charter, and their humble Acknowledgments for the same, solemnly promising, that they will inviolably observe and keep the same, except as is therein excepted, and will neither directly nor indirectly contrive, propose, enact, or do any Thing or Things whatsoever, by Virtue of the Power thereby granted unto them, that shall or may redound to the Prejudice or Disadvantage of the Proprietary and Governor, his Heirs and Successors, in their just Rights, Properties and Privileges, granted to him and them by the King's Letters Patents, and Deeds of Release and Feoffment made to him by JAMES Duke of York and Albany, &c. and whom they desire may be hereby acknowledged and recognized the true and rightful Proprietaries and Governors of the Province of Pensylvania, and Territories annexed, according to the King's Letters Patents, and Deeds of Release and Feoffment from James, Duke of York and Albany, unto the said Proprietary and Governor, his Heirs and Successors; any Thing in this Act, or any other Act, Grant, Charter, or Law, to the contrary of these Things herein and hereby explained, altered, limited, promised, declared, and enacted, in any wise notwithstanding.

The FRAME of the Government of the Province of Pensylvania, and Territories thereunto annexed in America.

TO ALL PERSONS, To whom these Presents may come. WHEREAS King CHARLES the Second, by his Letters Patents, under the great Seal of England, bearing Date the fourth Day of March, in the thirty and third Year of the King, for divers Considerations therein mentioned, hath been graciously pleased to give and grant unto me William Penn (by the Name of William Penn, Esq; Son and Heir of Sir William Penn deceased) and to my Heirs and Assigns for ever, all that Tract of Land, or Province called Pensylvania, in America, with divers great Powers, Preheminences, Royalties, Jurisdictions, and Authorities, necessary for the Well-being and Government thereof. AND WHEREAS the King's dearest Brother, James Duke of York and Albany, &c. by his Deeds of Feoffment, under his Hand and Seal, duly perfected, bearing Date the four and twentieth Day of August, One Thousand Six Hundred Eighty and Two, did grant unto me, my Heirs and Assigns, all that Tract of Land, lying and being from twelve Miles Northward of Newcastle upon Delaware River, in America, to Cape Hinlopen, upon the said River and Bay of Delaware Southward, together with all Royalties, Franchises, Duties, Jurisdictions, Liberties and Privileges thereunto belonging.

NOW KNOW YE, That for the Well-being and good Government of the said Province and Territories thereunto annexed, and for the Encouragement of all the Freemen and Planters, that may be therein concerned, in Pursuance of the Rights and Powers afore-mentioned, I the said William Penn have declared, granted and confirmed, and by these Presents, for me, my Heirs and Assigns, do declare, grant and confirm unto all the Freemen, Planters and Adventurers of, in and to the said Province and Territories thereof, these Liberties, Franchises and Properties, so far as in me lieth, to be held, enjoyed and kept by the Freemen, Planters and Adventurers of and in the said Province of Pensylvania and Territories thereunto annexed, for ever.

IMPRIMIS.

THAT the Government of this Province and Territories thereof shall, from Time to Time, according to the Powers of the Patent and Deeds of Feoffment aforesaid, consist of the Proprietary and Governor, and Freemen of the said Province and Territories thereof, in Form of provincial Council and Assembly, which provincial Council shall consist of eighteen Persons, being three out of each County, and which Assembly shall consist of thirty-six Persons, being six out of each County, Men of most Note for their Virtue, Wisdom and Ability, by whom all Laws shall be made, Officers chosen, and publick Affairs transacted, as is hereafter limited and declared.

II.

THERE being three Persons already chosen for every respective County of this Province and Territories thereof, to serve in the provincial Council, one of them for three Years, one for two Years, and one for one Year; and one of them being to go off yearly in every County; that on the tenth Day of the first Month yearly, for ever after, the Freemen of the said Province and Territories thereof shall meet together in the most convenient Place in every County of this Province and Territories thereof, then and there to chuse one Person, qualified as aforesaid, in every County, being one third of the Number to serve in provincial Council, for three Years; it being intended, that one third of the whole provincial Council, consisting and to consist of eighteen Persons, falling off yearly, it shall be yearly supplied with such yearly Elections, as aforesaid; and that one Person shall not continue in longer than three Years; and in Case any Member shall decease before the last Election, during his Time, that then at the next Election ensuing his Decease, another shall be chosen to supply his Place for the remaining Time he was to have served, and no longer.

III.

THAT after the first seven Years, every one of the said third Parts that goeth yearly off, shall be incapable of being chosen again for one whole Year following, that so all that are capable and qualified as aforesaid, may be fitted for Government, and have a Share of the Care and Burthen of it.

IV.

THAT the provincial Council in all Cases and Matters of Moment, as their arguing upon Bills to be passed into Laws, or Proceedings about erecting of Courts of Justice, sitting in Judgment upon Criminals impeached, and Choice of Officers in such Manner as is herein after expressed, not less than two thirds of the whole shall make a Quorum; and that the Consent and Approbation of two thirds of that Quorum shall be had in all such Cases or Matters of Moment: And that in all Cases and Matters of lesser Moment, one third of the whole shall make a Quorum, the Majority of which shall and may always determine in such Cases and Causes of lesser Moment.

V.

THAT the Governor and provincial Council, shall have the Power of preparing and proposing to the Assembly hereafter mentioned, all Bills which they shall see needful, and that shall at any Time be past into Laws within the said Province and Territories thereof, which Bills shall be published and affixed to the most noted Place in every County of this Province and Territories thereof, twenty Days before the Meeting of the Assembly, in order to passing them into Laws.

VI.

THAT the Governor and provincial Council shall take Care, that all Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances, which shall at any Time be made within the said Province and Territories, be duly and diligently executed.

VII.

THAT the Governor and provincial Council shall, at all Times, have the Care of the Peace and Safety of this Province and Territories thereof; and that nothing be by any Person attempted to the Subversion of this Frame of Government.

VIII.

THAT the Governor and provincial Council shall, at all Times, settle and order the Situation of all Cities and Market-towns in every County, modelling therein all publick Buildings, Streets, and Market-places; and shall appoint all necessary Roads and Highways in this Province and Territories thereof.

IX.

THAT the Governor and provincial Council shall, at all Times, have Power to inspect the Management of the publick Treasury, and punish those who shall convert any Part thereof to any other Use, than what hath been agreed upon by the Governor, provincial Council, and Assembly.

X.

THAT the Governor and provincial Council, shall erect and order all publick Schools, and encourage and reward the Authors of useful Sciences and laudable Inventions, in the said Province and Territories thereof.

XI.

THAT one third of the provincial Council residing with the Governor, shall with the Governor, from Time to Time, have the Care of the Management of all publick Affairs, relating to the Peace, Justice, Treasury, and Improvement of the Province and Territories, and to the good Education of Youth, and Sobriety of the Manners of the Inhabitants therein, as aforesaid.

XII.

THAT the Governor or his Deputy, shall always preside in the provincial Council, and that he shall at no Time therein perform any publick Act of State whatsoever, that shall or may relate unto the Justice, Trade, Treasury, or Safety of the Province and Territories aforesaid, but by and with the Advice and Consent of the provincial Council thereof.

XIII.

AND to the End that all Bills prepared and agreed by the Governor and provincial Council, as aforesaid, may yet have the more full Concurrence of the Freemen of the Province and Territories thereof, it is declared, granted and confirmed, that at the Time and Place in every County, for the Choice of one Person to serve in provincial Council, as aforesaid, the respective Members thereof, at their said Meeting, shall yearly chuse out of themselves six Persons of most Note, for Virtue, Wisdom, and Ability, to serve in Assembly, as their Representatives, who shall yearly meet on the tenth Day of the third Month, in the capital Town or City of the said Province, unless the Governor and provincial Council shall think fit to appoint another Place to meet in, where, during eight Days, the several Members may confer freely with one another; and if any of them see meet, with a Committe of the provincial Council, which shall be at that Time purposely appointed, to receive from any of them, Proposals for the Alterations or Amendment of any of the said proposed and promulgated Bills; and on the ninth Day from their so meeting, the said Assembly, after their reading over of the proposed Bills, by the Clerk of the provincial Council, and the Occasions and Motives for them being opened by the Governor or his Deputy, shall, upon the Question by him put, give their Affirmative or Negative, which to them seemeth best, in such Manner as is hereafter expressed: But not less than two thirds shall make a Quorum in the passing of all Bills into Laws, and Choice of such Officers as are by them to be chosen.

XIV.

THAT the Laws so prepared and proposed as aforesaid, that are assented to by the Assembly, shall be enrolled as Laws of this Province and Territories thereof, with this Stile, By the Governor, with the Assent and Approbation of the Freemen in provincial Council and Assembly met; and from henceforth, the Meetings, Sessions, Acts, and Proceedings of the Governor, provincial Council and Assembly, shall be stiled and called, The Meeting, Sessions, and Proceedings, of the general Assembly of the Province of Pensylvania, and the Territories thereunto belonging.

XV.

AND that the Representatives of the People in provincial Council and Assembly, may in after Ages bear some Proportion with the Increase and multiplying of the People, the Number of such Representatives of the People, may be from Time to Time increased and enlarged, so as at no Time the Number exceed seventy-two for the provincial Council, and two hundred for the Assembly; the Appointment and Proportion of which Number, as also the laying and methodizing of the Choice of such Representatives in future Time, most equally to the Division of the Country, or Number of the Inhabitants, is left to the Governor and provincial Council to propose, and the Assembly to resolve, so that the Order of Proportion be strictly observed, both in the Choice of the Council and the respective Committees thereof, viz. one third to go off and come in yearly.

XVI.

THAT from and after the Death of this present Governor, the provincial Council shall, together with the succeeding Governor, erect from Time to Time, standing Courts of Justice, in such Places and Number, as they shall judge convenient for the good Government of the said Province and Territories thereof; and that the provincial Council shall, on the thirteenth Day of the second Month then next ensuing, elect and present to the Governor or his Deputy, a double Number of Persons, to serve for Judges, Treasurers, and Masters of the Rolls, within the said Province and Territories, to continue so long as they shall well behave themselves in those Capacities respectively; and the Freemen of the said Province, in an Assembly met on the thirteenth Day of the third Month, yearly, shall elect and then present to the Governor or his Deputy, a double Number of Persons to serve for Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace and Coroners, for the Year next ensuing; out of which respective Elections and Presentments, the Governor or his Deputy, shall nominate and commissionate the proper Number for each Office, the third Day after the said respective Presentments; or else the first named in such Presentment for each Office as aforesaid, shall stand and serve in that Office, the Time before respectively limited; and in Case of Death or Default, such Vacancy shall be supplied by the Governor and provincial Council in Manner aforesaid.

XVII.

THAT the Assembly shall continue so long as may be needful, to impeach Criminals fit to be there impeached, to pass such Bills into Laws as are proposed to them, which they shall think fit to pass into Laws; and till such Time as the Governor and provincial Council shall declare, That they have nothing further to propose unto them for their Assent and Approbation; and that Declaration shall be a Dismiss to the Assembly for that Time; which Assembly shall be notwithstanding, capable of assembling together, upon the Summons of the Governor and provincial Council, at any Time during that Year, if the Governor and provincial Council shall see Occasion for their so assembling.

XVIII.

THAT all the Elections of Members or Representatives of the People to serve in provincial Council and Assembly, and all Questions to be determined by both or either of them, that relate to Choice of Officers, and all or any other personal Matters, shall be resolved or determined by the Ballot; and all Things relating to the preparing and passing of Bills into Laws, shall be openly declared and resolved by the Vote.

XIX.

THAT at all Times when the Proprietary and Governor shall happen to be an Infant, and under the Age of one and twenty Years, and no Guardians or Commissioners are appointed in Writing, by the Father of the said Infant, or that such Guardian shall be deceased, that during such Minority, the provincial Council shall, from Time to Time, as they shall see meet, constitute and appoint Guardians and Commissioners not exceeding three, one of which shall preside as Deputy and chief Guardian during such Minority, and shall have and execute, with the Consent of one of the other two, all the Power of a Governor in all publick Affairs and Concerns of the said Province and Territories thereof, according to Charter; which said Guardian so appointed, shall also have the Care and Oversight of the Estate of the said Minor, and be yearly accountable and responsible for the same to the provincial Council, and the provincial Council to the Minor, when of Age, or to the next Heir, in case of the Minor's Death, for the Trust before expressed.

XX.

THAT as often as any Days of the Month mentioned in any Article of this Charter, shall fall upon the first Day of the Week, commonly called the Lord's-day, the Business appointed for that Day, shall be deferred until the next Day, unless in Cases of Emergency.

XXI.

AND for the Satisfaction and Encouragement of all Aliens, I do give and grant, that if any Alien, who is or shall be a Purchaser, or who doth or shall inhabit in this Province or Territories thereof, shall decease at any Time before he can well be naturalized, his Right and Interest therein, shall notwithstanding descend to his Wife and Children, or other his Relations, be he Testate or Intestate, according to the Laws of this Province and Territories thereof in such Cases provided, in as free and ample Manner, to all Intents and Purposes, as if the said Alien had been naturalized.

XXII.

AND that the Inhabitants of this Province and Territories thereof, may be accommodated with such Food and Sustenance, as God in his Providence hath freely afforded, I do also further grant to the Inhabitants of this Province and Territories thereof, Liberty to fowl and hunt upon the Lands they hold, and all other Lands therein not enclosed; and to fish in all Waters in the said Lands, and in all Rivers and Rivulets in and belonging to this Province and Territories thereof, with Liberty to draw his or their Fish on Shore on any Man's Lands, so as it be not to the Detriment or Annoyance of the Owner thereof, except such Lands as do lie upon Inland Rivulets that are not Boatable, or which are or may be hereafter erected into Manors.

XXIII.

AND that all the Inhabitants of this Province and Territories thereof, whether Purchasers or others, may have the last worldly Pledge of my good and kind Intentions to them and theirs, I do give, grant, and confirm to all, and every one of them, full and quiet Possession of their respective Lands, to which they have any lawful or equitable Claim, saving only such Rents and Services for the same as are or customarily ought to be reserved to me, my Heirs or Assigns.

XXIV.

THAT no Act, Law or Ordinance whatsoever, shall at any Time hereafter be made or done by the Proprietary and Governor of this Province and Territories thereunto belonging, his Heirs or Assigns, or by the Freemen in provincial Council or Assembly, to alter, change, or diminish, the Form or Effect of this Charter, or any Part or Clause thereof, contrary to the true Intent and Meaning thereof, without the Consent of the Proprietary and Governor, his Heirs or Assigns, and six Parts of seven of the said Freemen in provincial Council and Assembly met.

XXV.

AND LASTLY, I the said William Penn, Proprietary and Governor of the Province of Pensylvania and Territories thereunto belonging, for me, my Heirs and Assigns, have solemnly declared, granted and confirmed, and do hereby solemnly declare, grant and confirm, that neither I, nor my Heirs nor Assigns, shall procure or do any Thing or Things, whereby the Liberties in this Charter contained and expressed, shall be infringed or broken: And if any Thing be procured by any Person or Persons, contrary to these Premises, it shall be held of no Force or Effect. IN WITNESS whereof, I the said William Penn, at Philadelphia in Pensylvania, have unto this present Charter of Liberties set my Hand and broad Seal, this second Day of the second Month, in the Year of our Lord one Thousand six Hundred Eighty and Three, being the five and thirtieth Year of the King, and the third Year of my Government.

WILLIAM PENN.

THIS within CHARTER, which we have distinctly heard read and thankfully received, shall be by us inviolably kept; at Philadelphia, the second Day of the second Month, one Thousand six Hundred Eighty and Three.

The Members of the provincial Council present.

The Members of the Assembly present.

Some of the Inhabitants of Philadelphia present.

The CHARTER of the City of PHILADELPHIA.

WILLIAM PENN, Proprietary and Governor of the Province of Pensylvania, &c. To all to whom these Presents shall come, sends greeting. KNOW YE, That at the humble Request of the Inhabitants and Settlers of this Town of Philadelphia, being some of the first Adventurers and Purchasers within this Province, for their Encouragement, and for the more immediate and entire Government of the said Town, and better Regulation of Trade therein: I have by Virtue of the King's Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of England, erected the said Town into a Borough, and by these Presents do erect the said Town and Borough of Philadelphia into a CITY; which said City shall extend the Limits and Bounds, as it is laid out between Delaware and Skuylkill.

AND I do for me, my Heirs and Assigns, grant and ordain, that the Streets of the said City, shall for ever continue as they are now laid out and regulated; and that the End of each Street extending into the River Delaware, shall be and continue free for the Use and Service of the said City, and the Inhabitants thereof, who may improve the same for the best Advantage of the City, and build Wharfs so far out into the River there, as the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-council, herein after mentioned, shall see meet.

AND I do nominate Edward Shippen to be the present Mayor, who shall so continue until another be chosen, as is herein after directed.

AND I do hereby assign and name Thomas Story to be present Recorder, to do and execute all Things which unto the Office of Recorder of the said City doth or may belong.

AND I do appoint Thomas Farmer to be the present Sheriff, and Robert Assheton to be the present Town-clerk, and Clerk of the Peace, and Clerk of the Court and Courts.

AND I do hereby name, constitute, and appoint, Joshua Carpenter, Griffith Jones, Anthony Morris, Joseph Wilcox, Nathan Stanbury, Charles Read, Thomas Masters, and William Carter, Citizens and Inhabitants of the said City, to be the present Aldermen of the said City of Philadelphia.

AND I do also nominate and appoint John Parsons, William Hudson, William Lee, Nehemiah Allen, Thomas Paschal, John Bud, jun., Edward Smout, Samuel Buckley, James Atkinson, Pentecost Teague, Francis Cook, and Henry Badcocke, to be the twelve present Common-council Men of the said City.

AND I do by these Presents, for me, my Heirs and Successors, give, grant and declare, that the said Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Common-council Men for the Time being, and they which hereafter shall be Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Common-council Men within the said City, and their Successors, for ever hereafter be and shall be, by Virtue of these Presents, one Body corporate and politick in Deed, and by the Name of the Mayor and Commonalty of the City of Philadelphia, in the Province of Pensylvania: And them by the Name of Mayor and Commonalty of the City of Philadelphia, one Body politick and corporate in Deed and in Name, I do for me, my Heirs and Successors, fully create, constitute and confirm, by these Presents; and that by the same Name of Mayor and Commonalty of the City of Philadelphia, they may have perpetual Succession; and that they and their Successors, by the Name of Mayor and Commonalty of the City of Philadelphia, be and at all Times hereafter shall be Persons able and capable in Law, to have, get, receive, and possess, Lands and Tenements, Rents, Liberties, Jurisdictions, Franchises and Hereditaments, to them and their Successors in Fee-simple, or for Term of Life, Lives, Years, or otherwise; and also Goods, Chattels, and other Things, of what Nature, Kind, or Quality soever.

AND also to give, grant, let, sell and assign the same Lands, Tenements, Hereditaments, Goods, Chattels, and to do and execute all other Things about the same, by the Name aforesaid; and also that they be and shall be for ever hereafter Persons able and capable in Law, to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be defended, in all or any the Courts and other Places, and before any Judges, Justices, and other Persons whatsoever within the said Province, in all Manner of Actions, Suits, Complaints, Pleas, Causes and Matters whatsoever, and of what Nature or Kind soever.

AND that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Mayor and Commonalty of the said City of Philadelphia, and their Successors, for ever hereafter, to have and use one common Seal for the sealing of all Businesses touching the said Corporation, and the same from Time to Time at their Will and Pleasure to change or alter.

AND I do for me, my Heirs and Successors, give, and by these Presents, grant full Power and Authority unto the Mayor, Recorder and Common-Council of the said City of Philadelphia, or any five or more of the Aldermen, and nine or more of the Common-Council Men, the Mayor and Recorder for the time being, or either of them, being present, on the first third Day of the Week, in the eighth Month yearly for ever hereafter, publickly to meet at a convenient Room or Place within the said City, to be by them appointed for that Purpose, and then and there nominate, elect and chuse one of the Aldermen to be Mayor for that ensuing Year.

AND also to add to the Number of Aldermen and Common-Council Men, such and so many of those, that by Virtue of these Presents shall be admitted Freemen of the said City from Time to Time, as they the said Mayor, Aldermen and Common-Council shall see Occasion.

AND that such Person who shall be so elected Mayor aforesaid, shall within three Days next after such Election, be presented before the Governor of this Province, or his Deputy for the time being, and there shall subscribe the Declarations and Profession of his Christian Belief, according to the late Act of Parliament made in the first Year of King William's Reign, entitled, An Act for exempting their Majesties Subjects dissenting from the Church of England, from the Penalties of certain Laws; and then and there the Mayor so presented, shall make his solemn Affirmation and Engagement for the due Execution of his Office.

AND that the Recorder, Sheriff, Aldermen, and Common-council Men, and all other Officers of the said City, before they or any of them shall be admitted to execute their respective Offices, shall make and subscribe the said Declarations and Profession aforesaid, before the Mayor for the Time being, and at the same Time shall be attested for the due Execution of their Offices respectively; which Declarations, Promises and Attestations, the Mayor of the said City for the Time being, is hereby impowered to take and administer accordingly.

AND that the Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen of the said City, for the Time being, shall be Justices of the Peace and Justices of Oyer and Terminer; and are hereby impowered to act within the said City and Liberties thereof accordingly, as fully and amply as any Justice or Justices of the Peace or Oyer and Terminer, can or may do within the said Province.

AND that they or any four or more of them (whereof the Mayor and Recorder of the said City for the Time being, shall be two) shall and may for ever hereafter have Power and Authority, by Virtue of these Presents, to hear and enquire into all and all Manner of Treasons, Murthers, Manslaughters, and all Manner of Felonies and other Crimes and Offences, Capital and Criminal, whatsoever, according to the Laws of this Province and of the Kingdom of England, with Power also to hear and determine all petty Larcenies, Routs, Riots, unlawful Assemblies; and to try and punish all Persons that shall be convicted for Drunkenness, Swearing, Scolding, breaking the Peace, or such like Offences, which are by the Laws of this Province to be punished by Fine, Imprisonment or Whipping; with Power also to award Process against all Rioters and Breakers of the Peace, and to bind them, and all other Offenders and Persons of evil Fame, to the Peace or good Behaviour, as any Justice or Justices of the Peace can do, without being accountable to me or my Heirs, for any Fines or Amerciaments to be imposed for the said Offences or any of them.

AND I do hereby impower them or any four of them (whereof the Mayor and Recorder for the Time being, shall be two) with the City Sheriff and Town-clerk, to hold and keep a Court of Record, Quarterly, or oftener, if they see Occasion, for the enquiring, hearing and determining of the Pleas and Matters aforesaid; and upon their own View, or after a legal Procedure in some of those Courts, to cause all Nuisances and Encroachments in the Streets of the said City to be removed, and punish the Parties concerned, as the Law and Usage in such Cases shall require.

AND I do by these Presents assign and appoint, that the present Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen herein before-mentioned, be the present Justices of the Peace, and Oyer and Terminer, within the said City; and that they and all others that shall be Mayors, Recorders and Aldermen of the said City for the Time being, shall have full Power and Authority, and are hereby impowered and authorized, without any further or other Commission, to be Justices of the Peace, and of Oyer and Terminer, within the said City for ever; and shall also be Justices of the Peace, and the Mayor and Recorder shall be of the Quorum of the Justices of the County Courts, Quarter-sessions, Oyer and Terminer, and Goal Delivery, in the said County of Philadelphia; and shall have full Power to award Process, bind to the Peace or Behaviour, or commit to Prison, for any Matter or Cause, arising without the said City and within the Body of the aforesaid County, as Occasion shall require; and to cause Kalendars to be made of such Prisoners, which, together with all Recognizances and Examinations taken before them, for or concerning any Matter or Cause not determinable by them, shall be duly returned to the Judges or Justices of the said County, in their respective Courts where the same shall be cognizable.

AND that it may be lawful to and for the said Mayor and Commonalty and their Successors, when they see Occasion, to erect a Goal or Prison and Court-house within the said City.

AND that the Mayor and Recorder for the Time being, shall have, and by these Presents have Power to take Recognizance of Debts there, according to the Statute of Merchants, and of Action Burnel; and to use and affix the common Seal thereupon, and to all Certificates concerning the same.

AND that it may be lawful to and for the Mayor of the said City, for the Time being, for ever hereafter to nominate, and from Time to Time appoint the Clerk of the Market, who shall have Assize of Bread, Wine, Beer, Wood, and other Things; and to do, execute and perform all Things belonging to the Clerk of the Market within the said City.

AND I will that the Coroners to be chosen by the County of Philadelphia for the Time being, shall be Coroners of the said City and Liberties thereof; but that the Freemen and Inhabitants of the said City shall from Time to Time, as often as Occasion be, have equal Liberty with the Inhabitants of the said County, to recommend or chuse Persons to serve in the respective Capacities of Coroners and Sheriffs for the County of Philadelphia, who shall reside within the said City.

AND that the Sheriff of the said City and County for the Time being, shall be the Water-Bailiff, who shall and may execute and perform all Things belonging to the Officer of Water-Bailiff, upon Delaware River, and all other navigable Rivers and Creeks within the said Province.

AND in Case the Mayor of the said City for the Time being, shall, during the Time of his Mayoralty, misbehave himself or misgovern in that Office, I do hereby impower the Recorder, Aldermen and Common-council Men, or five of the Aldermen and nine of the Common-council Men of the said City of Philadelphia, for the Time being, to remove such Mayor from his Office of Mayoralty; and in such Case, or in Case of the Death of the said Mayor for the Time being, that then another fit Person shall, within four Days next after such Death or Removal, be chosen in Manner as is above directed for electing of Mayors, in the Place of him so dead or removed.

AND lest there should be a Failure of Justice or Government in the said City, in such Interval, I do hereby appoint, That the eldest Alderman for the Time being, shall take upon him the Office of a Mayor there, and shall exercise the same till another Mayor be chosen as aforesaid; and in Case of the Disability of such eldest Alderman, then the next in Seniority, shall take upon him the said Office of Mayor, to exercise the same as aforesaid.

AND in Case the Recorder, or any of the Aldermen or Common-council Men of or belonging to the said City, for the Time being, shall misbehave him or themselves in their respective Offices and Places, they shall be removed and others chosen in their Stead, in Manner following, that is to say, The Recorder for the Time being, may be removed (for his Misbehaviour) by the Mayor, and two thirds of the Aldermen and Common-council Men respectively; and in Case of such Removal or of the Death of the Recorder, then to chuse another fit Person skilled in the Law, to be the Recorder there, and so to continue during Pleasure as aforesaid.

AND the Alderman so misbehaving himself, may be removed by the Mayor, Recorder and nine of the Aldermen and Common-council Men; and in Case of such Removal or Death, then within four Days after, to chuse a fit Person or Persons to supply such Vacancies; and the Common-council Men, Constables, and Clerk of the Market, for Misbehaviour, shall be removed and others chosen, as is directed in the Case of Aldermen.

AND I do also, for me and my Successors, by these Presents, grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty, and their Successors, that if any of the Citizens of the said City, shall be hereafter nominated, elected, and chosen to the Office of Mayor, Aldermen and Common-council Men as aforesaid, and having Notice of his or their Election, shall refuse to undertake and execute that Office to which he is so chosen, that then, and so often it shall and may be lawful for the Mayor and Recorder, Aldermen and Common-council Men, or the major Part of the Aldermen and Common-council Men for the Time being, according to their Discretion, to impose such moderate Fines upon such Refusers, so as the Mayor's Fine exceed not forty Pounds, the Alderman's five and thirty Pounds, and Common-council Men twenty Pounds, and other Officers proportionably, to be levied by Distress and Sale, by Warrant under the common Seal, or by other lawful Ways, to the Use of the said Corporation.

AND in such Cases it shall be lawful to chuse others to supply the Defects of such Refusers, in Manner as is as above directed for Elections.

AND that it shall and may be lawful to and for the Mayor, Recorder, and at least three Aldermen for the Time being, from Time to Time, so often as they shall find Occasion, to summon a Common-council of the said City.

AND that no Assembly or Meeting of the said Citizens, shall be deemed or accounted a Common-council, unless the said Mayor and Recorder, and, at least three of the Aldermen for the Time being, and nine of the Common-council Men be present.

AND also that the said Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Common-council Men for the Time being, from Time to Time, at their Common-council, shall have Power to admit such and so many Freemen into their Corporation and Society as they shall think fit.

AND to make (and they may make, ordain, constitute and establish) such and so many good and reasonable Laws, Ordinances and Constitutions (not repugnant to the Laws of England and this Government) as to the greater Part of them at such Common-council assembled (where the Mayor and Recorder for the Time being, are to be always present) shall seem necessary and convenient for the Government of the said City.

AND the same Laws, Ordinances, Orders and Constitutions so to be made, to put in Use and Execution accordingly, by the proper Officers of the said City; and at their Pleasure to revoke, alter, and make anew, as Occasion shall require.

AND also impose such Mulcts and Amerciaments upon the Breakers of such Laws and Ordinances, as to them in their Discretion shall be thought reasonable; which Mulcts, as also all other Fines and Amerciaments to be set or imposed by Virtue of the Powers granted, shall be levied as above is directed in Case of Fines, to the Use of the said Corporation, without rendering any Account thereof to me, my Heirs and Successors; with Power to the Common-council aforesaid, to mitigate, remit, or release such Fines and Mulcts, upon the Submission of the Parties. Provided always, That no Person or Persons hereafter, shall have Right of electing or being elected, by Virtue of these Presents, to any Office or Place judicial or ministerial, nor shall be admitted Freemen of the said City, unless they be free Denizens of this Province, and are of the Age of twenty-one Years or upwards, and are Inhabitants of the said City, and have an Estate of Inheritance or Freehold therein, or are worth fifty Pounds in Money, or other Stock, and have been resident in the said City for the Space of two Years, or shall purchase their Freedom of the Mayor and Commonalty aforesaid.

AND I do further grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty of the City of Philadelphia, that they and their Successors, shall and may for ever hereafter hold and keep within the said City, in every Week of the Year, two Market-days, the one upon the fourth Day of the Week, and the other upon the seventh Day of the Week, in such Place or Places as is, shall, or may be appointed for that Purpose, by the said Commonalty or their Successors, from Time to Time.

AND also two Fairs therein every Year, the one of them to begin on the sixteenth Day of the third Month, called May, yearly, and so to be held in and about the Market-place, and continue for that Day and two Days next following; and the other of the said Fairs to be held in the aforesaid Place on the sixteenth Day of the ninth Month yearly, and for two Days next after.

AND I do for me, my Heirs and Assigns, by Virtue of the King's Letters Patent, make, erect and constitute the said City of Philadelphia, to be a Port or Harbour for discharging and unlading of Goods and Merchandize out of Ships, Boats, and other Vessels; and for landing and shipping them in or upon such and so many Places, Keys and Wharfs there, as by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-council of the said City, shall from Time to Time be thought most expedient for the Accommodation and Service of the Officers of the Customs, in the Management of the King's Affairs and Preservation of his Duties, as well as for Conveniency of Trade.

AND I do ordain and declare, that the said Port or Harbour shall be called the Port of Philadelphia, and shall extend and be accounted to extend into all such Creeks, Rivers, and Places within this Province, and shall have so many Wharfs, Keys, Landing-places and Members belonging thereto, for landing and shipping of Goods, as the said Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-council for the Time being, with the Approbation of the chief Officer or Officers of the King's Customs, shall from Time to Time think fit to appoint.

AND I do also ordain, that the Landing-places now and heretofore used at the Penny-pot-house and Blue-anchor, saving to all Persons their just and legal Right and Properties in the Lands so to be open; as also the Swamp between Bud's Buildings and the Society-hill, shall be left open and common for the Use and Service of the said City and all others, with Liberty to dig Docks and make Harbours for Ships and Vessels, in all or any Part of the said Swamp.

AND I do hereby grant, that all the vacant Land within the Bounds and Limits of the said City, shall remain open as a free Common of Pasture, for the Use of the Inhabitants of the said City, until the same shall be gradually taken in, in order to build or improve thereon, and not otherwise. Provided always, That nothing herein contained, shall debar me or my Heirs in Time to come, from fencing in all the vacant Lands that lie between the Center Meeting-house and the Schuylkil, which I intend shall be divided from the Land by me allotted for Delaware Side, by a strait Line along the Broad-street from Edward Shippen's Land through the Center Square by Daniel Pegg's Land; nor shall the fencing or taking in any of the Streets, happening to be within that Inclosure on Skuylkil, be deemed or adjudged to be an Incroachment, where it shall not interfere or stop any of the Streets or Passages leading to any of the Houses built or to be built on that Side, any Thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

AND I do grant, that this present Charter, shall, in all Courts of Law and Equity, be construed and taken most favourably and beneficially, for the said Corporation.

IN WITNESS whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and caused my great Seal to be affixed. Dated at Philadelphia the five and twentieth Day of October, Anno Domini one Thousand seven Hundred and One, and in the thirteenth Year of the Reign of King WILLIAM the Third, over England, &c. and the one and twentieth Year of my Government.

WILLIAM PENN.

The CHARTER of PRIVILEGES granted by William Penn, Esq; to the Inhabitants of Pensylvania and Territories.

WILLIAM PENN, Proprietary and Governor of the Province of Pensylvania, and Territories thereunto belonging. To all to whom these Presents shall come, sendeth Greeting. WHEREAS King CHARLES the Second, by his Letters Patents, under the Great Seal of England, bearing Date the fourth Day of March, in the Year one Thousand six Hundred and Eighty, was graciously pleased to give and grant unto me, and my Heirs and Assigns for ever, this Province of Pensylvania, with divers great Powers and Jurisdictions for the well Government thereof.

AND WHEREAS the King's dearest Brother, JAMES Duke of YORK and ALBANY, &c. by his Deeds of Feoffment, under his Hand and Seal duly perfected, bearing Date the twenty-fourth Day of August, one Thousand six Hundred Eighty and Two, did grant unto me, my Heirs and Assigns, all that Tract of Land, now called the Territories of Pensylvania, together with Powers and Jurisdictions for the good Government thereof.

AND WHEREAS for the Encouragement of all the Freemen and Planters, that might be concerned in the said Province and Territories, and for the good Government thereof, I the said William Penn, in the Year one Thousand six Hundred Eighty and Three, for me, my Heirs and Assigns, did grant and confirm unto all the Freemen, Planters and Adventurers therein, divers Liberties, Franchises and Properties, as by the said Grant, entituled, The FRAME of the Government of the Province of Pensylvania, and Territories thereunto belonging, in America, may appear; which Charter or Frame being found in some Parts of it, not so suitable to the present Circumstances of the Inhabitants, was in the third Month, in the Year one Thousand seven Hundred, delivered up to me, by six Parts of seven of the Freemen of this Province and Territories, in general Assembly met, Provision being made in the said Charter, for that End and Purpose.

AND WHEREAS I was then pleased to promise, That I would restore the said Charter to them again, with necessary Alterations, or in Lieu thereof, give them another, better adapted to answer the present Circumstances and Conditions of the said Inhabitants; which they have now, by their Representatives in general Assembly, met at Philadelphia, requested me to grant.

KNOW YE THEREFORE, That for the further Well-being and good Government of the said Province, and Territories; and in Pursuance of the Rights and Powers before-mentioned, I the said William Penn do declare, grant and confirm, unto all the Freemen, Planters and Adventurers, and other Inhabitants in this Province and Territories, these following Liberties, Franchises and Privileges, so far as in me lieth, to be held, enjoyed and kept, by the Freemen, Planters and Adventurers, and other Inhabitants of and in the said Province and Territories thereunto annexed, for ever.

FIRST.

BECAUSE no People can be truly happy, though under the greatest Enjoyment of civil Liberties, if abridged of the Freedom of their Consciences, as to their religious Profession and Worship: And Almighty God being the only Lord of Conscience, Father of Lights and Spirits, and the Author as well as Object of all divine Knowledge, Faith and Worship, who only doth enlighten the Minds, and persuade and convince the Understandings of People, I do hereby grant and declare, That no Person or Persons, inhabiting in this Province or Territories, who shall confess and acknowledge One Almighty God, the Creator, Upholder and Ruler of the World; and profess him or themselves obliged to live quietly under the civil Government, shall be in any Case molested or prejudiced, in his or their Person or Estate, because of his or their conscientious Persuasion or Practice, nor be compelled to frequent or maintain any religious Worship, Place or Ministry, contrary to his or their Mind, or to do or suffer any other Act or Thing, contrary to their religious Persuasion.

AND that all Persons who also profess to believe in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World, shall be capable (notwithstanding their other Persuasions and Practices in Point of Conscience and Religion) to serve this Government in any Capacity, both legislatively and executively, he or they solemnly promising, when lawfully required, Allegiance to the King as Sovereign, and Fidelity to the Proprietary and Governor, and taking the Attests as now established by the Law made at Newcastle in the Year one Thousand and seven Hundred, entitled, An Act directing the Attests of several Officers and Ministers, as now amended and confirmed by this present Assembly.

II.

FOR the well governing of this Province and Territories, there shall be an Assembly yearly chosen, by the Freemen thereof, to consist of four Persons out of each County, of most Note for Virtue, Wisdom and Ability, (or of a greater Number at any Time, as the Governor and Assembly shall agree) upon the first Day of October for ever; and shall sit on the fourteenth Day of the same Month, at Philadelphia, unless the Governor and Council for the Time being, shall see Cause to appoint another Place within the said Province or Territories: Which Assembly shall have Power to chuse a Speaker and their other Officers; and shall be Judges of the Qualifications and Elections of their own Members; sit upon their own Adjournments; appoint Committees; prepare Bills in order to pass into Laws; impeach Criminals, and redress Grievances; and shall have all other Powers and Privileges of an Assembly, according to the Rights of the free-born Subjects of England, and as is usual in any of the King's Plantations in America.

AND if any County or Counties, shall refuse or neglect to chuse their respective Representatives as aforesaid, or if chosen, do not meet to serve in Assembly, those who are so chosen and met, shall have the full Power of an Assembly, in as ample Manner as if all the Representatives had been chosen and met, provided they are not less than two Thirds of the whole Number that ought to meet.

AND that the Qualifications of Electors and Elected, and all other Matters and Things relating to Elections of Representatives to serve in Assemblies, though not herein particularly expressed, shall be and remain as by a Law of this Government, made at New-Castle in the Year one Thousand seven Hundred, entitled, An Act to ascertain the Number of Members of Assembly, and to regulate the Elections.

III.

THAT the Freemen in each respective County, at the Time and Place of meeting for electing their Representatives to serve in Assembly, may as often as there shall be Occasion, chuse a double Number of Persons to present to the Governor for Sheriffs and Coroners, to serve for three Years, if so long they behave themselves well; out of which respective Elections and Presentments, the Governor shall nominate and commissionate one for each of the said Offices, the third Day after such Presentment, or else the first named in such Presentment, for each Office as aforesaid, shall stand and serve in that Office for the Time before respectively limited; and in Case of Death or Default, such Vacancies shall be supplied by the Governor, to serve to the End of the said Term.

PROVIDED ALWAYS, That if the said Freemen, shall at any Time neglect or decline to chuse a Person or Persons for either or both the aforesaid Offices, then and in such Case, the Persons that are or shall be in the respective Offices of Sheriffs or Coroners, at the Time of Election, shall remain therein, until they shall be removed by another Election as aforesaid.

AND that the Justices of the respective Counties, shall or may nominate and present to the Governor three Persons, to serve for Clerk of the Peace for the said County, when there is a Vacancy, one of which the Governor shall commissionate, within ten Days after such Presentment, or else the first nominated, shall serve in the said Office during good Behaviour.

IV.

THAT the Laws of this Government shall be in this Stile, viz. By the Governor, with the Consent and Approbation of the Freemen in General Assembly met; and shall be, after Confirmation by the Governor, forthwith recorded in the Rolls-office, and kept at Philadelphia, unless the Governor and Assembly shall agree to appoint another Place.

V.

THAT all Criminals shall have the same Privileges of Witnesses and Council as their Prosecutors.

VI.

THAT no Person or Persons shall or may, at any Time hereafter, be obliged to answer any Complaint, Matter or Thing whatsoever, relating to Property, before the Governor and Council, or in any other Place, but in ordinary Course of Justice, unless Appeals thereunto shall be hereafter by Law appointed.

VII.

THAT no Person within this Government, shall be licensed by the Governor to keep an Ordinary, Tavern, or House of publick Entertainment, but such who are first recommended to him, under the Hands of the Justices of the respective Counties, signed in open Court; which Justices are and shall be hereby impowered, to suppress and forbid any Person, keeping such Publick-house as aforesaid, upon their Misbehaviour, on such Penalties as the Law doth or shall direct; and to recommend others from Time to Time, as they shall see Occasion.

VIII.

IF any Person, through Temptation or Melancholy, shall destroy himself, his Estate, real and personal, shall notwithstanding descend to his Wife and Children, or Relations, as if he had died a natural Death; and if any Person shall be destroyed or killed by Casualty or Accident, there shall be no Forfeiture to the Governor by Reason thereof.

AND no Act, Law or Ordinance whatsoever, shall at any Time hereafter, be made or done, to alter, change or diminish the Form or Effect of this Charter, or of any Part or Clause therein, contrary to the true Intent and Meaning thereof, without the Consent of the Governor for the Time being, and six Parts of seven of the Assembly met.

BUT because the Happiness of Mankind depends so much upon the enjoying of Liberty of their Consciences as aforesaid, I do hereby solemnly declare, promise and grant, for me, my Heirs and Assigns, that the first Article of this Charter relating to Liberty of Conscience, and every Part and Clause therein, according to the true Intent and Meaning thereof, shall be kept and remain without any Alteration, inviolably for ever.

AND LASTLY, I the said William Penn, Proprietary and Governor of the Province of Pensylvania, and Territories thereunto belonging, for myself, my Heirs and Assigns, have solemnly declared, granted and confirmed, and do hereby solemnly declare, grant and confirm, That neither I, my Heirs or Assigns, shall procure or do any Thing or Things, whereby the Liberties in this Charter contained and expressed, nor any Part thereof, shall be infringed or broken: And if any Thing shall be procured or done, by any Person or Persons, contrary to these Presents, it shall be held of no Force or Effect.

IN WITNESS whereof, I the said William Penn, at Philadelphia in Pensylvania, have unto this present Charter of Liberties, set my Hand and broad Seal, this twenty-eighth Day of October, in the Year of our Lord, one Thousand seven Hundred and One, being the thirteenth Year of the Reign of King WILLIAM the Third, over England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, &c. and the twenty-first Year of my Government.

AND NOTWITHSTANDING the Closure and Test of this present Charter as aforesaid, I think fit to add this following Proviso thereunto, as Part of the same, That is to say, That notwithstanding any Clause or Clauses in the above-mentioned Charter, obliging the Province and Territories, to join together in Legislation, I am content, and do hereby declare, That if the Representatives of the Province and Territories shall not hereafter agree to join together in Legislation, and that the same shall be signified unto me, or my Deputy, in open Assembly, or otherwise, from under the Hands and Seals of the Representatives, for the Time being, of the Province and Territories, or the major Part of either of them, at any Time within three Years from the Date hereof, that in such Case, the Inhabitants of each of the three Counties of this Province, shall not have less than eight Persons to represent them in Assembly, for the Province; and the Inhabitants of the Town of Philadelphia (when the said Town is incorporated) two Persons to represent them in Assembly; and the Inhabitants of each County in the Territories, shall have as many Persons to represent them, in a distinct Assembly for the Territories, as shall be by them requested as aforesaid.

NOTWITHSTANDING which Separation of the Province and Territories, in Respect of Legislation, I do hereby promise, grant and declare, That the Inhabitants of both Province and Territories, shall separately enjoy all other Liberties, Privileges and Benefits, granted jointly to them in this Charter, any Law, Usage, or Custom of this Government heretofore made and practised, or any Law made and passed by this General Assembly, to the contrary hereof notwithstanding.

WILLIAM PENN.

THIS CHARTER of PRIVILEGES being distinctly read in Assembly, and the whole and every Part thereof, being approved of and agreed to, by us, we do thankfully receive the same from our Proprietary and Governor, at Philadelphia, this twenty-eighth Day of October, one Thousand seven Hundred and One.